Developmental and Cultural Perspectives on Children’s Postoperative Pain Management at Home

Outpatient surgery is extremely common in children, and approximately 4 million children experience significant pain after surgery in the USA each year. Management of children\u27s postoperative pain in the home setting is suboptimal and is impacted by characteristics of children and parents, as well as the larger family and cultural context. In particular, developmental status of the child, parental beliefs regarding pain expression and analgesic use in children, cultural values and language barriers can affect management of children\u27s postoperative pain. Targeting the myriad barriers to children\u27s pain management by capitalizing upon the use of tailored interventions may help bridge the gap between the translation of pain management guidelines to the home setting

Height and Body Mass on the Mating Market: Associations With Number of Sex Partners and Extra-Pair Sex Among Heterosexual Men and Women Aged 18–65

People with traits that are attractive on the mating market are better able to pursue their preferred mating strategy. Men who are relatively tall may be preferred by women because taller height is a cue to dominance, social status, access to resources, and heritable fitness, leading them to have more mating opportunities and sex partners. We examined height, education, age, ethnicity, and body mass index (BMI) as predictors of sexual history among heterosexual men and women (N = 60,058). The linear and curvilinear associations between self-reported height and sex partner number were small for men when controlling for education, BMI, and ethnicity (linear β = .05; curvilinear β = −.03). The mean and median number of sex partners for men of different heights were: very short (9.4; 5), short (11.0; 7), average (11.7; 7), tall (12.0; 7), very tall (12.1; 7), and extremely tall (12.3; 7). Men who were “overweight” reported a higher mean and median number of sex partners than men with other body masses. The results for men suggested limited variation in reported sex partner number across most of the height continuum, but that very short men report fewer partners than other men

Functionality, Parsimony, Discovery, Avoiding Hamartia: How Evolutionary Perspectives are Changing Psychology

Evolutionary psychology offers an important perspective to scientific psychology. Evolutionary psychology, in its short existence, has added an abundance of knowledge to the social sciences, let alone psychology. The study of human cognition and behavior remains incomplete without an evolutionary perspective. Here, we argue that evolutionary psychology uniquely provides a complete understanding of scientific psychology because it explains the functions of our psychological traits, provides us with the most parsimonious explanation of many psychological phenomena, predicts undocumented phenomena, and possibly allows us to avoid the downfalls of some of our contemptible evolved psychological mechanisms

Exploring Optimism and Purpose in Life as Mediators of the Association Between Childhood Socioeconomic Status and Common Cold Susceptibility

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, Americans suffer from 1 billion colds a year. Correspondingly, previous research has shown that lower socioeconomic status (SES) during childhood is associated with lower adult health, including decreased resistance to the common cold. This correlation between childhood SES and common cold susceptibility may be mediated by an individual\u27s optimism and purpose in life. Of interest, several studies have found evidence that higher childhood SES is associated with a higher purpose of life and higher optimism. Furthermore, previous evidence has confirmed that higher optimism and higher purpose of life are linked to better overall health, including greater resistance to developing the common cold. More specifically, both higher optimism and higher purpose in life are associated with better physical health and less unhealthy behaviors, thereby strengthening the immune system and increasing resistance to the common cold. Given this past research, this study analyzes the relationship of childhood SES and susceptibility to the common cold, mediated by optimism and purpose of life. Data was obtained from the Common Cold Project, analyses were conducted among 213 adults between the ages of 18 and 55 who were exposed to rhinovirus through nasal drops. Subjective and objective measures of both childhood SES and common cold assessments were used in the mediation analysis, which was performed using the PROCESS macro tool on SPSS. Significant correlations were found between the direct effects of subjective childhood SES and optimism (b = 0.31, p = 0.040) and optimism and subjective measures of cold (b = -0.09, p = 0.023). However, meditation analyses suggested that neither optimism nor purpose of life meditated the association between childhood SES and susceptibility to the common cold for all objective and subjective assessments (i.e., they did not account for the indirect effect). Overall, more research is needed to understand the mechanisms by which childhood SES is associated with health outcomes, such as the common cold

Chapman Faculty Perceptions of Hiring Practices to Increase Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Historically, universities have been institutions primarily consisting of White males. While there have been significant improvements in racially and ethnically diversifying undergraduate student populations, faculty demographics have been slower to change. Researchers pose several explanations for this occurrence, including low numbers of qualified Ph.D. candidates from racially and ethnically underrepresented backgrounds as well as feelings of isolation that racial and ethnic minority faculty often face due to lack of available mentorship. This low representation of racially and ethnically underrepresented minorities is concerning as extensive research suggests that diversity among faculty appointments enhances the overall quality of a university, and, specifically, has a strong, positive impact on undergraduate education. In recognition of numerous benefits of a racially and ethnically diverse faculty body, this study draws particularly from research which suggests the hiring process is a viable mechanism through which to address the lack of racial and ethnic diversity. Taking into consideration various resource guides that esteemed other universities have created detailing suggested best hiring practices, we created a survey that includes a variety of hiring strategies and invited Chapman faculty and/or individuals who served on search committees at Chapman University to complete it. Participants were given short, open-ended questions in addition to statements which they were asked to rate. The survey encompassed several aspects of the hiring process including preparing the search, writing the job description, recruiting candidates, interviewing, evaluating candidates, as well as retention and inclusion strategies. The results of this study lend themselves to offering empirically based recommendations that can be utilized and potentially implemented at Chapman University to increase the likelihood of racially and ethnically diversifying faculty demographics

The Coronavirus Pandemic: Associations of College Students\u27 Financial Situations and Optimism with Mental & Physical Health

The coronavirus pandemic has led to a turbulent environment, putting college students and their families in unprecedented situations. The rise in unemployment and concerns about the overall economy may be impacting student finances. Increased depression and anxiety are common responses to such stressful situations. However, certain psychosocial factors, such as optimism, may be a valuable resource for coping with stress. Individuals who are more versus less optimistic tend to show less distress and have better physical functioning. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine how college students’ financial situation during the coronavirus pandemic is related to mental and physical health, as well as how optimism moderates this relationship. We hypothesized that worse financial situations would be associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and physical symptoms, but that optimism would buffer against worse outcomes. To investigate these hypotheses, students at a private university in Southern California were recruited through their university email addresses to complete an online questionnaire in the spring of 2020. Nearly 300 students self-reported their financial situation, depression, anxiety, physical symptoms (e.g., nausea, headaches), and optimism. Linear regression models tested associations. Results indicated that, as expected, a worsening financial situation and an increase in worry about paying for school were significantly associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and physical symptoms (ps \u3c 0.05). By contrast, greater optimism was associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety, and physical symptoms (ps \u3c 0.05). However, the effect of financial situation on students’ mental and physical health did not depend on optimism (ps \u3e 0.05). This may be because students in this study had lower optimism scores relative to pre-pandemic cohorts, suggesting they struggled to be optimistic during the pandemic. Further investigation on how financial situations and optimism relate to mental and physical health is crucial to not only improve the quality of life for college students, but to also help in creating and implementing effective mental and physical health interventions

Positive Affect and Health: What Do We Know and Where Next Should We Go?

Positive affect (PA) is associated with better health across a wide range of physical health outcomes. This review reflects on why the study of PA is an essential component of our understanding of physical health and expands on pathways that connect these two variables. To encourage forward movement in this burgeoning research area, measurement and design issues in the study of PA and health are discussed, as are the connections between PA and a range of different health outcomes. Plausible biological, social, and behavioral pathways that allow for positive feelings to get under the skin and influence physical wellness are detailed and framed in the context of several theoretical models. Finally, new directions for the field and important methodological and interpretative considerations that are essential to moving this important research area forward are explored

Applying Theoretical Models of Positive Emotion to Improve Pediatric Asthma: A Positive Psychology Approach

Positive emotion, encompassing feelings such as joy and happiness, has been shown to predict a multitude of health outcomes. However, the role of positive emotion in pediatric asthma is not understood. No work to date has examined how positive emotion may offer benefits to children and adolescents with asthma. Based on theory and models of positive emotion and health, we hypothesize that positive emotion may improve asthma outcomes through mediators such as health behaviors and health-relevant physiological functioning. Moreover, boosting positive emotion during times of stress may be particularly relevant in mitigating asthma symptoms. In the present commentary, we elaborate on the hypothesized mechanisms behind such associations grounded within positive emotion theoretical frameworks. Additionally, we summarize the methodologically rigorous work of positive emotion interventions in other clinical settings to propose that positive emotion could be a useful tool in the management of pediatric asthma

Child Postoperative Pain: Impact of Child Temperament and Parent Mood on Pain After Surgery

Around 80% of children who undergo surgery experience moderate to severe postoperative pain. Various psychosocial factors contribute to exacerbations of this pain. A child’s inborn personality traits and style of interaction with the environment are known as temperament. Children who are less sociable and more distress-prone (e.g., those who cry, throw tantrums) are more likely to have an anxious temperament. This anxiety before and after surgery may lead to an increase in postoperative pain levels as well. Parent pain ratings do not always reflect true child pain. Overtime, a parent’s emotional state and mood may change how they perceive child pain. Parents who have more negative moods or are more distressed tend to report their child’s pain as worse and have a negative impact on a child’s pain. Therefore, parents play a crucial role in treatment after surgery. Given this, the purpose of this study was to see how child temperament factors are associated with postoperative pain and how parent mood moderates this relationship. These specific factors are analyzed in a sample of children ages 2-13 who underwent elective surgery at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (N = 112). Prior to the surgery, parents completed online surveys assessing child temperament and parent mood. Postoperative pain measures were reported by both children and parents after surgery on days 1, 3, and 7. Child temperament factors did not interact with parent mood to predict postoperative pain. Emotionality and sociability were not significantly associated with parent pain measures or child pain after surgery (ps \u3e 0.05). However, other studies have shown that child temperament does affect pain in a hospital setting more than they do at home. Interestingly, pain in children was low at home after surgery (less than 3 on a scale of 0 to 10). It is possible that the impact of temperament and mood on pain were less potent once the child is at home following the surgery and pain is lower. Further investigation on the influence of temperament and mood on child pain is important to obtain more clarity and discover optimal methods of treating pain in children. Future work may benefit from investigating different surgical procedures that might lead to a greater diversity of pain once children are home

Sex as a Moderator in the Relationship between Post-operative Pain and Analgesics Administered in Children Undergoing Elective Surgery

About 85% of children who undergo elective surgery experience pain post-operatively and many do not receive proper pain management care after discharge. Most parents lack an understanding of proper pain care management using analgesics upon discharge. Research reveals that adults rate girls as more sensitive to pain and that they display a greater amount of pain in a pediatric post-operative environment. In adulthood, women report more sensations of pain and have a higher pain tolerance, which can be attributed to physiological characteristics. Nonetheless, the social differences by which boys and girls experience pain and express their pain cannot be denied. The purpose of this study is to understand the relationship between a child’s post-operative pain and the amount of analgesics given to the child, and how sex moderates this association. Parents of children ages 2-13 (59% male, 41% female) (N=112) were asked to evaluate the pain of their child and report the amount and type of analgesic use days 1, 3, and 7 post-operatively. The Parents Perceived Pain Management (PPPM) Scale was used to evaluate the child’s pain and analgesic use was self-reported. Using this scale in regression-based analysis, there was a significant association between pain and the amount of analgesic use given to the children on post-operative days 1 (ibuprofen: b = 0.24, t = 3.55, p \u3c 0.05, acetaminophen: b = 0.22, t = 5.38, p \u3c 0.05) and 3 (ibuprofen: b = 0.72, t = 4.81, p \u3c 0.05, acetaminophen: b = 0.34, t = 4.44, p \u3c 0.05); however; sex did not significantly moderate this association (ps \u3e .05). Evidence in this study does not suggest that boys receive different post-operative analgesic care from girls as a function of pain. Future analysis should analyze factors that interact with this association like the sex of the parent that is administering analgesics and the parent’s education of analgesic usage